This Day in Ancient History: idus februariae

  • Parentalia (day 1) — a festival for honouring/appeasing the dead began on this day with a number of signs: temples were closed, altars did not have fires burn on them, people were forbidden to get married, and magistrates set down the trappings of their office.
  • Fornacalia (day 1) — this was actually a “feriae conceptivae”, which means that it probably wasn’t always held on the same day. Originally, it was a feast of the curiae (an early division of the Roman people) which also seems to have involved a sort of banquet for the gods, although scholars are unsure which gods were specifically honoured. Then again, Ovid claims that rural folk would pray to a divinity called Fornax.
  • 196 B.C. — dedication of a Temple of Faunus on the Tiber island
  • 194 A.D. — Septimius Severus recognized as Emperor in Egypt
  • 250 A.D. — martyrdom of Polyeuctus of Melitene

ROGUECLASSICIST’S BULLETIN ~ February 12, 2026

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LEGENDA
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New study maps where wheat, barley and rye grew before the first farmers found them
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-wheat-barley-rye-grew-farmers.html

Archaeological Finds in Ancient Tyras Reveal What Life Was Like for a Roman Soldier on the Empire’s Frontier

Archaeological Finds in Ancient Tyras Reveal What Life Was Like for a Roman Soldier on the Empire’s Frontier

Rules of mysterious ancient board game decoded by AI, scientists say – CBS News
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mysterious-ancient-board-game-rules-decoded-ai-scientists/

Seal from Kingdom of Judah discovered in northern Israel | The Jerusalem Post
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-886482

3,500-Year-Old Mycenaean Boar Tusk Helmets Unearthed in Greece
https://greekcitytimes.com/2026/02/12/mycenaean-boar-tusk-helmet-pylos/

Ex-UT Professor Sought Epstein Funding For Austin Conference
https://hoodline.com/2026/02/ex-ut-prof-hit-up-epstein-for-cash-to-boost-campus-consent-conference/

‘Virgin’ frescoes emerge from Pompeii suburb
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260212-virgin-frescoes-emerge-from-pompeii-suburb

An Invitation to Pompeii’s Wildest Party – Archaeology Magazine
https://archaeology.org/issues/march-april-2026/features/pompeiis-house-of-dionysian-delights/

FRANCE. Roman mosaics discovered at Ucetia. – Online Archaeology – Archeomedia

FRANCIA. Scoperti dei mosaici romani a Ucetia.

Carsulae (Terni), découverte de nouvelles mosaïques qui réécrivent l’histoire de la ville romaine
https://www.finestresullarte.info/fr/archeologie/carsulae-terni-decouverte-de-nouvelles-mosaiques-qui-reecrivent-l-histoire-de-la-ville-romaine

A Colossal 4th-Century Basilica Discovered in Ostia Antica, Belonging to the Oldest and Most Sumptuous Bishopric in Christendom

A Colossal 4th-Century Basilica Discovered in Ostia Antica, Belonging to the Oldest and Most Sumptuous Bishopric in Christendom

Rare Syriac Manuscript discovered at St. Catherine’s Monastery reveals early Christian history – SyriacPress

Rare Syriac Manuscript discovered at St. Catherine’s Monastery reveals early Christian history

The Strange Paradoxes and Puzzles of Zeno of Elea – GreekReporter.com
https://greekreporter.com/2026/02/11/strange-paradoxes-puzzles-zeno-elea/

Why Did It Take Odysseus Ten Years to Return to Ithaca? – GreekReporter.com
https://greekreporter.com/2026/02/12/odysseus-ten-years-return-ithaca/

The Blogs: Palestinian 2026 Heritage Grabbing Frenzy | Shimon Samuels | The Times of Israel
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-2026-heritage-grabbing-frenzy/

A ‘Roman’ army from Norway of a thousand men may have fought in Denmark 1,800 years ago
https://www.sciencenorway.no/archaeology-denmark-roman-empire/a-roman-army-from-norway-of-a-thousand-men-may-have-fought-in-denmark-1800-years-ago/2600351

The Other Place: Ancient Greek Tragedy Meets Modern Family Drama – New York Stage Review

The Other Place: Ancient Greek Tragedy Meets Modern Family Drama

The Curious Origin Controversy Over The Word, Easter – The Historian’s Hut

The Curious Origin Controversy Over The Word, Easter

Pomona And Vertumnus, By Suzanne de Court (c. 1575–1625) – The Historian’s Hut

Pomona And Vertumnus, By Suzanne de Court (c. 1575–1625)

Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues: Culture Crime Under Illegal Occupation by Russia
https://paul-barford.blogspot.com/2026/02/culture-crime-under-illegal-occupation.html

Machine-translated portions of the new Maronite Chronicle of 713 in English

Machine-translated portions of the new Maronite Chronicle of 713 in English

Changing the Landscape of Archaeological Publishing | Archaeology of the Mediterranean World

Changing the Landscape of Archaeological Publishing

“And Grant You Peace” A Night of Scholarship, Song, and Memory for Dr. Gabriel Barkay – The Temple Mount Sifting Project

“And Grant You Peace” A Night of Scholarship, Song, and Memory for Dr. Gabriel Barkay

OTTC: A Blog for Old Testament Textual Criticism: Digital Edition of the Cairo Codex of the Prophets
https://oldtestamenttextualcriticism.blogspot.com/2026/02/digital-edition-of-cairo-codex-of.html

PaleoJudaica.com: Why is the Torah’s Law from God?
https://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/2026/02/why-is-torahs-law-from-god.html

PaleoJudaica.com: More again on the redating of 4QDanielc
https://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/2026/02/more-again-on-redating-of-4qdaniel-c.html

PaleoJudaica.com: Takamitsu Muraoka (1938-2026)
https://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/2026/02/takamitsu-muraoka-1938-2026.html

AWOL – The Ancient World Online: Kultpraxis und Distinktion: Bildnisse von Kultpersonal der römischen Kaiserzeit aus Rom und Italien
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.com/2026/02/kultpraxis-und-distinktion-bildnisse.html

AWOL – The Ancient World Online: Comunicare tramite ostraca: Usi, testi e supporti dei reperti greci d’Egitto
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.com/2026/02/comunicare-tramite-ostraca-usi-testi-e.html

AWOL – The Ancient World Online: L’amicitia romaine sur les rivages du Pont septentrional : politique et propagande du Ier siècle av. J.-C. au IVe siècle apr. J.-C.
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.com/2026/02/lamicitia-romaine-sur-les-rivages-du.html

Roman friendship on the shores of the Northern Pontus: politics and propaganda from the 1st century BC to the 4th century AD | Spartokos has read

L’amicitia romaine sur les rivages du Pont septentrional : politique et propagande du Ier siècle av. J.-C. au IVe siècle apr. J.-C.

Divine institutions: religions and community in the Middle Roman Republic – Bryn Mawr Classical Review
https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2026/2026.02.19/

Galen on ethics and human nature – Bryn Mawr Classical Review
https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2026/2026.02.18/

Krankenpflege in der griechisch-römischen Antike – Bryn Mawr Classical Review
https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2026/2026.02.17/

Two new volumes highlight cult, architecture at ancient Neapolis sanctuary | eKathimerini.com
https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1295105/two-new-volumes-highlight-cult-architecture-at-ancient-neapolis-sanctuary/
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AUDIENDA
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Prayer or Pleasure: Discovery … – Dive & Dig – Apple Podcasts

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VIDENDA
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(1407) How Plato Explains the Modern World – YouTube

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NOTANDA
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Bologna 2027 – XVII Congressus Internationalis Epigraphiae Graecae et Latinae (II) – Current EpigraphyCurrent Epigraphy

Bologna 2027 – XVII Congressus Internationalis Epigraphiae Graecae et Latinae (II)

ROGUECLASSICIST’S BULLETIN ~ February 11, 2026

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LEGENDA
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Kynos Archaeological Site in Central Greece Approved for €2.78m Preservation Project | GTP Headlines
https://news.gtp.gr/2026/02/10/kynos-archaeological-site-in-central-greece-approved-for-e2-78m-preservation-project/

Why Aristotle would hate Valentine’s Day – and his five steps to love
https://theconversation.com/why-aristotle-would-hate-valentines-day-and-his-five-steps-to-love-275460

Alexandria on the Tigris: Exploring the forgotten and rediscovered metropolis
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-alexandria-tigris-exploring-forgotten-rediscovered.html#goog_rewarded

Germany, Roman basilica, staircase and altar resurface in basement of Cologne’s MiQua
https://www.finestresullarte.info/en/archaeology/germany-roman-basilica-staircase-and-altar-resurface-in-basement-of-cologne-s-miqua

Unique Roman House Altar (Lararium) Discovered in Cologne, First of Its Kind in Northern Europe – Arkeonews
https://arkeonews.net/unique-roman-house-altar-lararium-discovered-in-cologne-first-of-its-kind-in-northern-europe/

Archaeologists Recover Lighthouse of Alexandria Stones From Seabed
https://greekcitytimes.com/2026/02/11/archaeologists-recover-lighthouse-of-alexandria-stones-from-seabed/

Excavations at Henchir Matriya: Roman and Byzantine mosaics, columns and statues unearthed in Tunisia
https://www.finestresullarte.info/en/archaeology/excavations-at-henchir-matriya-roman-and-byzantine-mosaics-columns-and-statues-unearthed-in-tunisia

Western Europe’s earliest known mule died 2,700 years ago — and it was buried with a partially cremated woman | Live Science
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/western-europes-earliest-known-mule-died-2-700-years-ago-and-it-was-buried-with-a-partially-cremated-woman

Roman altars found near Edinburgh reveal secrets of mysterious Mithras cult | The Independent
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/scotland-national-museum-roman-altars-b2917633.html

Mithraism
https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/tag/mithraism/

Ludus Coriovalli: using artificial intelligence-driven simulations to identify rules for an ancient board game | Antiquity | Cambridge Core
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/ludus-coriovalli-using-artificial-intelligencedriven-simulations-to-identify-rules-for-an-ancient-board-game/E5644BD43F8A5DC86DD1183A3E645ED9

Ancient Romans Really Did Use Poop as Medicine. We Just Got The First Real Proof. : ScienceAlert
https://www.sciencealert.com/ancient-romans-really-did-use-poop-as-medicine-we-just-got-the-first-real-proof

Archaeologists Say They’ve Identified Traces of a 2,000-Year-Old Love Note Still Etched Into a Wall in Ancient Pompeii
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-say-theyve-identified-traces-of-a-2000-year-old-love-note-still-etched-into-a-wall-in-ancient-pompeii-180988163/

A Baseball-sized Bone Found in Spain May Be the First Physical Proof of Hannibal’s Legendary War Elephants
https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/carthage-war-elephant-wrist-bone-spain/

Rare Roman terracotta head excavated at Magna Roman Fort
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2026/02/rare-roman-terracotta-head-excavated-at-magna-roman-fort/156983

NEW EXCAVATIONS AT VILLA POPPEA TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – Pompeii Sites
https://pompeiisites.org/en/comunicati/new-excavations-at-villa-poppea-to-open-to-the-public/

Redating the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Book of Daniel | Bible Interp
https://bibleinterp.arizona.edu/articles/redating-dead-sea-scrolls-and-book-daniel

David’s First Command Post? – Biblical Archaeology Society

David’s First Command Post?

‘Alexander thought Indus comes down and connects with Nile’ – Newspaper – DAWN.COM
https://www.dawn.com/news/amp/1972364

Gold vs. Honor: The Moment Persia Misjudged Greece – GreekReporter.com
https://greekreporter.com/2026/02/10/gold-honor-persia-greece/

Seventh-Century Greek Wine Cup Revealed as Ancient Star Map – GreekReporter.com
https://greekreporter.com/2026/02/10/7th-century-greek-wine-cup-ancient-star-map/

Where to begin with Greek mythology
https://epigram.org.uk/where-to-begin-with-greek-mythology/

What Is Virtue and Can It Be Taught? Plato’s Answer in “Meno” | TheCollector
https://www.thecollector.com/what-is-virtue-plato-meno/

Changes in Arts: The Future of Classics at the University of Calgary | Faculty of Arts | University of Calgary
https://arts.ucalgary.ca/about/about-faculty/strategic-plan/future-classics

URGENT UPDATE: Classics and Medieval Studies at the University of Calgary, Call for a Pause | Mise à jour URGENTE : Études classiques et médiévales à l’Université de Calgary, Appel à une pause – The Classical Association of Canada

URGENT UPDATE: Classics and Medieval Studies at the University of Calgary, Call for a Pause | Mise à jour URGENTE : Études classiques et médiévales à l’Université de Calgary, Appel à une pause

Materials conservation scholar, engineering professor Ioanna Kakoulli dies at 57 – Daily Bruin
https://dailybruin.com/2026/02/10/materials-conservation-scholar-engineering-professor-ioanna-kakoulli-dies-at-57

The Chains that Bind: Two Visions for the Future of Ancient Greek and Roman Studies | by Maximus Planudes | Feb, 2026 | Medium
https://planudes.medium.com/the-chains-that-bind-two-visions-for-the-future-of-ancient-greek-and-roman-studies-d5c70062f337

An (Academic) Review of Claire Heywood’s The Wandering Queen
https://www.aliciamatz.com/2026/02/an-academic-review-of-claire-heywoods.html

Weekly Varia no. 168, 02/08/26 – Noodlings

Weekly Varia no. 168, 02/08/26

Rishi Sunak’s three hearts | Blog post | The TLS

Rishi Sunak’s three hearts

The Sermons of Eusebius of Emesa

The Sermons of Eusebius of Emesa

The Chains that Bind: Two Visions for the Future of Ancient Greek and Roman Studies | by Maximus Planudes | Feb, 2026 | Medium
https://planudes.medium.com/the-chains-that-bind-two-visions-for-the-future-of-ancient-greek-and-roman-studies-d5c70062f337

Ancient History 58 – Thoughts and Further Reading
https://www.karwansaraypublishers.com/en-ca/blogs/ancient-history-blog/ancient-history-58-thoughts-and-further-reading

Writing Wednesday: Rolling the Rock | Archaeology of the Mediterranean World

Writing Wednesday: Rolling the Rock

Laudator Temporis Acti: A Sicilian Inscription
https://laudatortemporisacti.blogspot.com/2026/02/a-sicilian-inscription.html

PaleoJudaica.com: Carchemish coins from the Great Revolt
https://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/2026/02/carchemish-coins-from-great-revolt.html

PaleoJudaica.com: Phoenician scarab seal excavated in Sardinia
https://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/2026/02/phoenician-scarab-seal-excavated-in.html

PaleoJudaica.com: Kellens, Les Gâthâs attribuées à Zarathuštra (Paris: Les Belles Lettres)
https://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/2026/02/kellens-les-gathas-attribuees.html

PaleoJudaica.com: Baalbek
https://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/2026/02/baalbek.html

PaleoJudaica.com: One of Vitruvius’ buildings has been discovered
https://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/2026/02/one-of-vitruvius-buildings-has-been.html

PaleoJudaica.com: Satlow, The Enchanted World (Princeton)
https://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/2026/02/satlow-enchanted-world-princeton.html

AWOL – The Ancient World Online: Decoding the Message. Reviewing Propaganda, Communication and Local Identities on the Coinages of Classical and Hellenistic Crete
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.com/2026/02/decoding-message-reviewing-propaganda.html

AWOL – The Ancient World Online: Michaelides Fragments: Coptic
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.com/2026/02/michaelides-fragments-coptic.html

AWOL – The Ancient World Online: Mediterranean Connections: The Frankish Kingdoms and the Roman Empire (476–756)
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.com/2026/02/mediterranean-connections-frankish.html

Voci di donne nell’epica: personaggi e modelli poetici femminili nell’Iliade e nell’Odissea – Bryn Mawr Classical Review
https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2026/2026.02.16/

Latinization, local languages, and literacies in the Roman West – Bryn Mawr Classical Review
https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2026/2026.02.15/

Ugly productions: an aesthetics of Greek drama – Bryn Mawr Classical Review
https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2026/2026.02.11/

Die Fragmente der griechischen Historiker Continued. Part IV: biography and antiquarian literature. E: Paradoxography and antiquities. Fasc. 4. Antiquities [Nos. 1750-1751, 1753-1787] – Bryn Mawr Classical Review
https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2026/2026.02.10/

Marble Statuettes of the Roman Period, by Brian A. Martens | American Journal of Archaeology
https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/740693

Archaeology of Colour: Technical Art History Studies in Greek and Roman Painting and Polychromy, edited by Hariclia Brecoulaki | American Journal of Archaeology
https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/740027

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AUDIENDA
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The Case of the Very Different Iron Age Shipwrecks at Dor, or, Underwater Insurance Adjusters, Assemble! | This Week in the Ancient Near East
https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/e/the-case-of-the-very-different-iron-age-shipwrecks-at-dor-or-underwater-insurance-adjusters-assemble/

116: The Third Punic War – Did…–The Hellenistic Age Podcast – Apple Podcasts

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VIDENDA
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(1376) The Trojan Horse: History’s Greatest Deception? – YouTube

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NOTANDA
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Officina di IG XIV² – 2026 events – Current EpigraphyCurrent Epigraphy

Officina di IG XIV² – 2026 events

This Day in Ancient History: ante diem iii idus februarias

  • 41 A.D. — birth of Britannicus, son of the Emperor Claudius and Messalina
  • 50 – 55 A.D.(?) — birth of Domitia Longina (wife of the emperor Domitian)